In Ontario, heritage properties are governed by the Ontario Heritage Act (the “Act”).
Under section 1 of the Act, “heritage attributes” are defined as, “in relation to real property, and to the buildings and structures on the real property, the attributes of the property, buildings and structures that contribute to their cultural heritage value or interest.”
Several factors influence whether a property can be given heritage status, including:
- the age of the property,
- historical significance,
- architectural designs,
- cultural value, and
- ownership.